I apologize for the blog silence these last couple weeks. It feels like it has been an eternity since I was pregnant, but every day has flown by in blur of diaper changes, feedings, sibling temper tantrums, and lots and lots of cuddles.
I am still in shock that she is really here, and keep staring at all these little people running around my living room. As a friend told me, “Your cup overfloweth! Sometimes all over you, or the floor.”
Gladys seems to be a rather social little lady already. She prefers to be held, especially by me, and sleeps the soundest tucked into bed with us. She loves the sling already and I for-see much “baby-wearing” in the future. I wonder if this bond she has to me is related to our uninterrupted snuggling in her first hour after birth.
I am really enjoying watching the children dote on Gladys. They are always begging to hold her, especially Gianna. Gianna seems to think Gladys is her own personal baby doll. She picks out her clothes and sings her lullabies when she cries. She shared with me how she can’t wait until Gladys can “spin with her” and how she is going to teach her to kick her legs high “like a ballerina”. It is very sweet.
There is a mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion that comes with parenting a newborn that only other parents understand, and with three other young children to care for as well, it has been a rough on both myself and my husband. And then there is the learning-to-nurse-again thing, which is always journey in itself. I would describe this time as intense, not easy, but going really well, just like her labor did.
We are so blessed by you, little Gladys.
What a beautiful family! Those first days, weeks, months 🙂 can be so hard. I will say a prayer for peace and patience. Enjoy that sweet tiny baby ( I love her pudgy arms!)
Congratulations!!!! These are so precious moments – I remember every minute of that time and would love to experience it again! Gladys is soo adorable 🙂 Enjoy it and try to rest as much as you can!
She is oh so very beautiful.
Lovely pictures. Thanks for sharing them with us. A friend of mine, who has 3 kids, told me (before I gave birth to my second) that every time you have a baby your heart opens up and makes it possible to love more deeply. Just seeing your kids is doing that for me. <3
It is true. Love is not is rationed. 🙂
Hello Jodi!! Your family is gorgeous. Congratulations to the happy parents.
Thank you for sharing these so lovely pictures. Your children are really cute.
Love is to be shared, so there is always place for a new member.
Congratulations! I am 17 weeks with my first, and it’s so lovely to see such happy beginnings!
Congrats!
oh, she is darling! congratulations!
What a sweet girlie!! And such gorgeous photos. So glad you’re soaking in her tiny-ness and all the miracles of this time– however overwhelming 🙂
Oh gaaah! Her baby chubs are driving me crazy! I just love ’em. She is so perfect! Glad you are reveling in this precious newborn time, as tense as it can be at times.
I didn’t know you have a Gianna! We do, too! =-D I can also see our girls being little mamas like that. They are already talking about changing the baby’s diaper, etc. Blessings on your day, friend!
Gianna is a great name. 🙂 And she is a beautiful Catholic saint too – a loving, wife, mother, and doctor. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gianna_Beretta_Molla
9 more weeks and you will have some chubs to kiss, too!